Julio-Claudian Emperors

The Empire in the North

Augustus extended the limits of the empire to the Rhine River and to the Danube. He established permanent garrisons across both rivers for the first time. At long last, Rome no longer feared the threat from the north, though this victory was won at a high price.

No Roman conqueror before or since Augustus added so much territory. True, the Empire was further expanded by Trajan and others, but no single individual acquired so much plain real estate. Not much of it was actually won by Augustus. Among his many skills was the ability to choose brilliant commanders and to give them the opportunity and resources to be brilliant. Augustus had generals and admirals serving under him who, in another time, would have been famous commanders in their own right.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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